Former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna State, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, has voiced his concerns about the planned nationwide protest over economic challenges, fearing it may lead to violence and chaos.
In a message titled "The Proposed Protest in Nigeria: Avoiding Actions that Can Disrupt Nigeria’s Progress," Rev. Hayab acknowledged that while protest is a legitimate right provided by the Nigerian constitution, it should not lead to destruction. He highlighted the risk of hoodlums hijacking the protest to cause mayhem and loot properties, both public and private.
During a Sunday morning program on the Hausa Service of BBC, Rev. Hayab urged Nigerians to reconsider the protest to prevent giving hoodlums the opportunity to cause destruction. Instead, he suggested drawing the government’s attention to the issues through peaceful means.
Rev. Hayab warned that individuals encouraging Nigerian youths to mimic the protests seen in Kenya are not acting in the country's best interest. He noted the detrimental effects of the Kenyan protests, which resulted in significant destruction of national infrastructure and businesses, as well as loss of lives.
He emphasized that Nigerians should demand transparency from those organizing the protests, questioning their identities and motives. "Protest is legitimate, and the Nigerian constitution provides freedom of expression but not destruction. There is no guarantee that the planned nationwide protest will not attract violence against innocent citizens given the growing tensions in the country," Rev. Hayab stated.
Rev. Hayab highlighted the Multidimensional Poverty Index by the National Bureau of Statistics, noting that Ondo and Lagos have the lowest poverty rates in Nigeria. He questioned why the protest organizers are not more concerned about regions with higher poverty indices, such as Zamfara, Yobe, Lafia in Nasarawa State, Abakaliki in Ebonyi, and Lokoja in Kogi.
He suggested that the protest might have underlying political motives rather than solely addressing poverty and hardship. "Nigerians have the right to call for protest for the good of the country, but when mischief makers hijack the plan, it could spell doom for us, and that is why there is an urgent need for caution," he warned.
Rev. Hayab urged Nigerians to be patient and use legitimate means to push the current leadership to be more transparent and accountable. He called on the government to intensify efforts to alleviate the present economic hardships and ensure that any available palliatives reach the people.
"Government appointees and aides must be decorous whenever they speak to citizens or grant interviews to build trust and confidence between the leaders and the citizenry. With understanding and resilience, we can overcome the existing hardship," Rev. Hayab concluded.
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